The 2016 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament champions, Worcester State, have been selected by the eight coaches from around the conference to repeat as champions during the 2017 season.
Worcester State took the top spot with three first place votes for 45 points. The Lancers finished last season with a 9-7-2 (.556) overall record and a 5-0-2 (.857) record in league action.
Ashleigh Howland (Wilmington, Mass.) returns after leading the team in goals with six and three assists for 15 points. Her goal late in the tournament title game last season helped Worcester State advance to the NCAA DIII Tournament and earned her Tournament MVP honors.
Also at the midfield/forward positions, the Blue and Gold return juniors Jenna Martin (Salem, NH) Nikki DiPilla (Sterling, Mass.), and Tsara LeBlanc (Gardner, Mass.). Martin played in all 18 games last season and picked up two goals, including one game-winning goal. DiPilla tallied three goals (one game-winner) and two assists for a total of eight points last season. LeBlanc collected seven points on three goals and an assist. Sophomores Skylar Alves (Ashburnham, Mass.) and Cate Farmer (Billerica, Mass.) also return.
The Lancers also welcome back defenders Justine Butler (Marlborough, Mass.) and Beth Spinazzola (Westford, Mass.). Butler has been solid at the center back position over the past three years, earning the MASCAC Rookie of the Year in 2014 and a spot on the All-Conference second team the past two seasons. Last season, Spinazzola recorded an assist in 10 games played.
This season, the Lancers will look for seek new talent from rookies Talia Borci (Leicester, Mass.), Maddie Fong (Norton, Mass.), and Megan Gurlitz (Auburn, Mass.).
The Worcester State women's soccer team will begin play on Friday, September 1 when they travel to Wheaton for a 3 p.m. start. The team will be on the road the following two games (MIT and Salve Regina) until their home opener which is scheduled Saturday, September 9 when they host Clark University in a cross-town game at 12 noon.
2017 MASCAC Women's Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
|
1. |
Worcester State |
(3) |
45 points |
|
2. |
Bridgewater State |
(4) |
43 points |
|
3. |
Westfield State |
(1) |
41 points |
|
4. |
Framingham State |
|
27 points |
|
Salem State |
|
27 points |
|
|
6. |
Fitchburg State |
|
18 points |
|
7. |
MCLA |
|
16 points |
|
8. |
Massachusetts Maritime |
|
7 points |
Portions of this Release Courtesy of Emily Loux | MASCAC Director of Media Relations
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